It was a place I was apprehensive about at first.
I thought it was exclusively for the Friday and Saturday crowds that mingle on Ouellette Avenue after hours. Located at 419 Ouellette Avenue, I didn’t even know they were open during the day.
I don’t know exactly what I was expecting from a Mexican restaurant called Drunkin’ Burrito, but my idea was turned on its head as soon as I walked in the front door. It was more akin to a martini bar or sushi restaurant rather than the harshly lit “burrito shack” I’d envisioned. The lighting is subtle. There are a few muted flat-screen TVs, as ambient music plays in the spirit of their menu. Accoutrements and decor befitting a Toronto cocktail bar grace the walls. It’s comfort food with a chic comfort mood.
To further throw my preconceptions into a tizzy, I met the ownership group responsible for this proud restaurant. You couldn’t hope for a more cordial group of visionaries. Every time before and since I interviewed them, all of the staff and ownership has represented themselves as some of the most cordial business people in the downtown core.
A brief overview of the business now. Drunkin’ Burrito offers quesadillas, salads, and nachos on top of the obvious burrito option. And they have the most ridiculously scrumptious cookies, which are unassuming at first glance, but filled with a chocolate and peanut butter blast on the inside. Most surprising about the food is the attention to healthy alternatives in the cooking process. Of course, I’m not at liberty to share these trade secrets, but it’s an impressive feat to have food tasting as good as it does without the stereotypical greasy label that Mexican food can have.
While waiting for my interview to take place, I ordered a chicken quesadilla. I’m a cheese-monster, so it seemed fitting.
How’d that go, you ask? In a few short minutes, I had done this to my gigantic (personal pizza sized) portion.
I thought I’d take a quick video of my peek inside of Drunkin’ Burrito to give you a clearer idea of the inside of their space.
Also, I did a brief interview with some of the operators of the restaurant so you could hear, in their words, what they’re shooting for in this successful restaurant that has just celebrated it’s one year anniversary as of March 1st, 2010. Congrats. Continued success to all of you. On top of everything else, offering free delivery is bound to ingratiate you on potential customers!
Above: The current incarnation of the Drunkin’ Burrito logo
To contact Drunkin’ Burrito, call them at 519.915.6707, e-mail them at support@drunkinburrito.ca
Also visit www.drunkinburrito.ca for more information on the company and menu.
Do you have a hidden gem restaurant in the downtown core? Did a food experience positively surprise you? E-mail Downtown WO to share your experience if you feel someone’s restaurant should have a spotlight shone on it.
Tags: downtown, Drunkin' Burrito, dwbia, food, free delivery, mexican, Ontario, restaurant, tourism, Windsor, WO
You should stop into Marathon too if you can. They could really use a plug and let people know more about them. I’d really love to learn more too. : )